Citations Affected:
IC 20-6.1-7.5.
Synopsis: Reimbursement of teacher continuing education. Provides
that the department of education shall reimburse 50% of the tuition
paid by certain teachers for continuing education courses that will
improve the teachers' knowledge or skill in the teachers' teaching areas.
Provides that a teacher who accepts tuition reimbursement must
continue teaching for one year for every six credits for which the
teacher received reimbursement.
Effective: July 1, 2003.
January 7, 2003, read first time and referred to Committee on Education and Career
Development.
A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning
education and to make an appropriation.
SECTION 1.
IC 20-6.1-7.5
IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE
AS A NEW CHAPTER TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
JULY 1, 2003]:
Chapter 7.5. Reimbursement of Teacher Continuing Education
Tuition
Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "employer" refers to one (1) of
the following:
(1) A school corporation.
(2) A charter school established under IC 20-5.5.
(3) A special education cooperative established under
IC 20-1-6-20.
(4) A state institution that employs teachers under:
(A)
IC 11-10-5
;
(B)
IC 16-33-4
;
(C) IC 20-15; or
(D) IC 20-16.
Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "institution of higher learning"
means the following:
(1) A state educational institution (as defined in
IC 20-12-0.5-1
).
(2) A private institution of higher education (as defined in
IC 20-12-63-3
).
Sec. 3. A teacher may apply to the department for
reimbursement of tuition the teacher has paid to an institution of
higher learning for the teacher's continuing education, if the
following conditions are met:
(1) The course for which the teacher seeks reimbursement will
further the teacher's knowledge or skills in a teaching area in
which the teacher has taught for not less than three (3) years
at the time the teacher enrolled in the course.
(2) The teacher's employer certifies that the teacher has
taught in the teaching area for not less than three (3) years at
the time the teacher enrolled in the course.
(3) The institution of higher learning certifies that the teacher
has successfully completed the course.
Sec. 4. Upon the receipt of an application that satisfies the
conditions set forth in section 3 of this chapter, the department
shall reimburse the teacher in an amount equal to fifty percent
(50%) of the tuition paid for the course.
Sec. 5. (a) If a teacher accepts tuition reimbursement under this
chapter, the teacher must agree to continue teaching for the
teacher's employer for one (1) year for every six (6) credits for
which the teacher has accepted reimbursement.
(b) A teacher who does not complete one (1) year of employment
for every six (6) credits for which the teacher has accepted
reimbursement must return the tuition reimbursement the teacher
received to the department.
Sec. 6. The amounts necessary to reimburse tuition under this
chapter are annually appropriated to the department from the
state general fund.
Sec. 7. The department may adopt rules under
IC 4-22-2
to
administer this chapter.
SECTION 2. [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2003] (a)
IC 20-6.1-7.5
, as
added by this act, applies to continuing education courses in which
a teacher enrolls after June 30, 2003.
(b) This SECTION expires June 30, 2004.